Ceramic layered double hydroxide nanohybrids for therapeutic applications

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have attracted considerable interest in bio-related applications owing to their good biocompatibility, biodegradability, facile preparation, and versatile functionality such as tailored drug loading, efficient cellular delivery, targeted delivery, and the controlled release of gene, drug, or other bioactive molecules. In particular, LDHs can accommodate various therapeutic agents and have been extensively explored to achieve novel multifunctional ceramic nanohybrids for therapeutic applications. Here, we review and highlight the recent progresses in ceramic nanohybrids based on LDH materials and their related curative application systems for gene therapy, chemotherapy, phototherapy, and combination therapy. Concretely, the synthetic strategies, structural features, and functions of LDHs as nonviral vectors and their versatile hybrid systems are discussed.